Federal Environment Ministry supports preventive health measures in the climate crisis

On the occasion of World Environment Day, in the park of the official residence of the Federal President (Bellevue Palace) in Berlin, the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUV), together with the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), provided comprehensive information on the health risks of the climate crisis and how we can protect ourselves against them. The German Medical Association (BÄK) and the German Climate Change and Health Alliance (KLUG) organised a nationwide heat action day for 5 June.

Federal Minister for the Environment Steffi Lemke Source: BMUV/Klaus Mellenthin

Federal Minister for the Environment Steffi Lemke: "The health effects of the climate crisis are being felt all over the world. Also in Germany and Europe, prolonged heat waves with record temperatures and sunshine in recent years have once again emphasised how important it is to prepare for and mitigate the consequences of the climate crisis. In addition to natural climate protection measures that reduce the amount of carbon released into the environment and store it, it is increasingly important to arm ourselves against the health risks of the climate crisis and take systematic precautions. The BMUV is continuing to strengthen the environmental policy framework for this. For example, through the Federal Climate Change Adaptation Act. It is also providing the population with comprehensive information on how they can protect themselves against the health risks of the climate crisis caused by heat, UV radiation, ozone, pollen, and pathogens from the animal world."

"Heat action plans are a key measure for adapting to the health consequences of climate change", says UBA President Dirk Messner. The recommendations for action for the creation of such plans, which were published in 2017, were evaluated in a project funded by the UBA and assessed in terms of perception and effectiveness. "According to this, heat action plans are known and recognised throughout Germany and are seen as helpful by the local authorities", says Messner. However, it is also important to focus on the other health consequences of climate change. Climate change affects not only physical health but also mental health. "As part of a research project to be completed in July, we will report on the psychological effects of climate change on the German population and present a resilience guide", says Messner.

BfS president Dr Inge Paulini

"Because of climate change, people in Germany are exposed to not only higher temperatures but also higher levels of UV radiation – the main cause of skin cancer. Protection against heat and UV exposure are therefore key aspects of current and future climate adaptation measures. Local authorities, daycare centres, schools, and clubs as well as citizens can find comprehensive information material on UV protection on the BfS website", says Inge Paulini, President of the BfS.

"Green spaces and trees cool our neighbourhoods and offer protection from the heat. Nature in our cities takes many forms: parks, allotments, gardens, street trees, rivers, and streams. A high level of greenery is becoming increasingly important for healthy and liveable cities and helps increase biodiversity. The BfN has therefore presented orientation values for public green spaces. These are intended to help local authorities achieve a sufficient level of greenery in their urban development", says Sabine Riewenherm, President of the BfN.

Lemke and Paulini promote better UV protection at the democracy festival of the German federal government Source: BMUV/Peter-Paul Weiler

The motto for World Environment Day 2024 in Germany is "Taking natural precautions: safety and protection in the climate crisis". In order to minimise the negative consequences of the climate crisis for human health, the emissions of climate-damaging gases must be reduced as much as possible. It is also necessary to take precautions to adapt so that those effects that can no longer be prevented cause as little damage as possible. The German government therefore adopted the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS) in 2008 and has been continually developing it ever since. The Climate Adaptation Act, which will come into force on 1 July 2024, provides a binding framework for this. Based on this, the Federal Government is developing the precautionary climate adaptation strategy with measurable targets provided for in the Federal Climate Adaptation Act. The adoption of this strategy is planned for the end of 2024. Health protection is a key area of action.

The series of guides published by the BMUV entitled "Den Klimawandel gesund meistern" explains how to protect yourself from the health effects of the climate crisis. However, it is available only in German. It covers the following topics: "Tips for hot days", "Protection against infectious diseases caused by ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents", "Danger approaching: pollen allergies". All the guides are available to download from the BMUV website and can also be ordered free of charge as a printed brochure.

With the funding guidelines "Climate adaptation in social institutions" and "Measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change", the BMUV also provides financial support for precautionary adaptation to the consequences of the climate crisis. In addition, on behalf of the BMUV the Zentrum KlimaAnpassung (federal information centre for climate adaptation) advises local authorities in particular on what measures should be taken to protect against the consequences of the climate crisis. As part of the Natural Climate Protection Action Programme (ANK), the BMUV supports local authorities in planting trees and creating near-natural parks and natural oases.